She Remembers Pearl Harbor Proposal

December 14, 2013|Letter to the editor

News was suddenly broadcast over the radio that the U.S. had been attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. Our American ships were being struck. A direct hit was made on the USS Arizona, which sunk immediately. The Air Corps men worked quickly to try to save the rest of our battleships.

My 20-year-old boyfriend hesitated, turned to me and said, "It looks like war. I'll probably have to partake. One question I have to ask of you, would you like to be the mother of my children?"

I was 17 years of age and hardly knew what the answer would entail. He did go to war and was honorably discharged from the Army Air Forces' Counter Intelligence Corps after three years of service. We were married during wartime. Our children made us the wedding we didn't have.

After that, we went to Hawaii. On our way home, we stopped at Pearl Harbor Memorial, where the names of many deceased soldiers are listed.

My husband, the love of my life for 66 years, passed away Nov. 14, 2010. The best that he left me are my three children -- the answer to his Pearl Harbor proposal.